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African Trade Beads

African beads were first produced as a form of currency for native inhabitants all across the continent of Africa centuries ago, and are now appreciated world wide by thousands of bead collectors, wearers, and enthusiasts. What draws people to trade beads is not only their elegance and beauty in craft, but the experience and history that comes along with each bead. While African bead makers continue to create new beads today, many of the items we offer have traveled long distances and years of existence to arrive where they are today.

We carry a large selection of high quality, authentic trade beads. Hundreds of strands in stock, including glass trade beads, antique african trade beads, vintage venetian trade beads, Chevron trade beads, czech trade beads, and more.

Trade Beads are beads that have been used as a form of currency for the exchange of goods and services especially in West Africa. Some of the more common items that these beads were bartered for include ivory, gold, slaves, and other goods that were in demand by Europeans and colonial overlords. Trade beads were made throughout Europe, however their production was concentrated in Venice and Bohemia where the secrets of glass bead production were a carefully guarded secret. The high demand for European beads in Africa can be attributed to the cultural value put by African peoples on decorative items. Jewelry items could add to the status of the owner and could be passed on to future generations as a symbol of wealth.

Interestingly, trade beads were also used for trade in the New World. The important role that they played is illustrated by the legend that the Dutch purchased the island of Manhattan from local Native American tribes for several strands of beads. It is believed that Christopher Columbus used glass Trade Beads for barter during his early voyages. Later, Spanish explorers and European fur traders and American explorers such as Lewis and Clark used Trade Beads to facilitate interactions with local peoples and to procure goods. Today, African beads used in the trade are considered highly collectible items.

A wide variety of Trade Beads were produced between the 16th and 20th centuries. One of the most celebrated bead designs is the Millefiori Bead from Venice that was named after the characteristic flower pattern on its surface. The methods used to make these and other beads are a testament to the innovation of Venetian artisans. African artisans subsequently copied glass cane beads such as the Millefiori using powdered glass techniques to produce indigenous African Kiffa Beads with similar patterns. Additional well-known varieties of trade beads include Chevrons, Dogon Beads,Vaseline Beads, Russian Blue Beads, Skunk Beads and many others.

Today, Trade Beads are world-renown for their rich legacy and aesthetic beauty. While African Trade Beads have long been highly regarded in African culture, their appreciation in Western countries continues to grow both among bead collectors and artists as well as bead enthusiasts alike.

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Red Old Annular Wound Dogon Beads Sold out
$119.00 - $119.00
$119.00
$119.00
$119.00 - $119.00
$119.00

Red Old Annular Wound Dogon Beads

Out of stock

Fabulous strand of old annular wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Donuts". These african trade beads have traveled at least three continents a...

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$119.00 - $119.00
$119.00
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$119.00 - $119.00
$119.00
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Red Baby Padre Olombo Beads Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Red Baby Padre Olombo Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at these red glass baby padre beads from Nigeria. Unlike more common padre beads, these are smaller in size and more varied in color. I...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Opaque Green Vaseline Beads Sold out
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00

Opaque Green Vaseline Beads

Out of stock

Each of these beautiful 'Vaseline' Green recycled glass beads are approximately 17mm in diameter. The strand is 28-30 inches long..

$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
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Black Antique Venetian Skunk Beads (Stretch Bracelet) Sold out
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
$49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00

Black Antique Venetian Skunk Beads (Stretch Bracelet)

Out of stock

Beautiful old eye black skunk trade beads. These beads have traveled at least three continents and were originally traded in the 1800s. Each bead i...

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$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
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$49.00 - $49.00
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Sliced Black Antique Venetian Trade Beads
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$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00
$245.00
$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00

Sliced Black Antique Venetian Trade Beads

Out of stock

Old Trade beads such as these are as beautiful in their design as they are exceptional in their craftsmanship. Venetian glass beads were known for ...

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$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00
$245.00
$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00
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Dark Brown Glass Snake Beads (Large)
Sold out
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
$49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00

Dark Brown Glass Snake Beads (Large)

Out of stock

This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back from t...

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$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
$49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
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Antique Venetian Feather Trade Beads
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$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
$195.00
$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00

Antique Venetian Feather Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Feather trade beads! African trade beads were made throughout the 19th and 20th century pr...

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$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
$195.00
$195.00 - $195.00
$195.00
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Rose Kakamba Prosser Beads
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$19.95 - $19.95
$19.95
$19.95
$19.95 - $19.95
$19.95

Rose Kakamba Prosser Beads

Out of stock

Beautiful strand of rose color kakamba prosser beads Each strand of kakamba is unique and you will receive a beautiful strand of these gorgeous r...

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$19.95 - $19.95
$19.95
$19.95
$19.95 - $19.95
$19.95
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Mixed Glass Snake Beads (Small)
Sold out
$45.00 - $45.00
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$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

Mixed Glass Snake Beads (Small)

Out of stock

This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back fro...

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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
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Glass Snake Beads, Green Color
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Glass Snake Beads, Green Color

Out of stock

This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back fro...

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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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Old Translucent & Opaque Yellow Venetian Glass Beads
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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

Old Translucent & Opaque Yellow Venetian Glass Beads

Out of stock

Admire this special strand of venetian glass beads. These beads are said to be 50 to 100 years old, although their exact age is unknown. Pay attent...

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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
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Rose White Heart Beads (7mm)
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$15.00 - $15.00
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$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00

Rose White Heart Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of translucent pink white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about 5mm wide by 7mm ...

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$15.00 - $15.00
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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
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Old Turquoise Venetian Glass Beads (Long Strand)
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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

Old Turquoise Venetian Glass Beads (Long Strand)

Out of stock

Admire this special strand of venetian glass beads. These beads are said to be 50 to 100 years old, although their exact age is unknown. Pay attent...

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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
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Glass Snake Beads, Vibrant Yellow (Large)
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Glass Snake Beads, Vibrant Yellow (Large)

Out of stock

This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back from ...

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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
Sold out
Orange Mosaic Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Orange Mosaic Antique Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
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Old Antique Multicolor Venetian Trade Beads
Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Old Antique Multicolor Venetian Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this rare strand of fancy multicolor african trade beads. They are Venetian made and have travelled many continents before being tra...

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$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
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Antique Green & Red Striped Venetian Glass Beads
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Antique Green & Red Striped Venetian Glass Beads

Out of stock

Admire this hard-to-find strand of antique venetian glass beads. These handmade vintage beads were originally produced in Venice, Italy sometime in...

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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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Polished Sea Coral Trade Beads
Sold out
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00

Polished Sea Coral Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this brilliant strand of sea coral beads! These special beads will add color to your beaded creations. Coral beads have been used th...

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$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
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Coral Red Round Nigerian Olombo Padre Beads
Sold out
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00

Coral Red Round Nigerian Olombo Padre Beads

Out of stock

These round coral red padre beads are found in Nigeria, West Africa. Vintage beads such as these have been traded in African since the late 1800 ea...

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$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
Sold out
Awalleh White Chevron Trade Beads (Long Strand)
Sold out
$60.00 - $60.00
$60.00
$60.00
$60.00 - $60.00
$60.00

Awalleh White Chevron Trade Beads (Long Strand)

Out of stock

Admire this beautiful strand of "Awalleh" trade beads. These authentic chevron beads are strung at a traditional length which is often times used b...

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$60.00 - $60.00
$60.00
$60.00
$60.00 - $60.00
$60.00
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Amber Round Padre Beads
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00

Amber Round Padre Beads

Only 1 left!

These amber glass padre beads are found in Ethiopia, East Africa. Originally European made and have been traded in African in the late 1800 early 1...

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$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads
Sold out
$26.00
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50

Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads

Out of stock

Checkout these beautiful chevron trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...

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$26.00
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
Sold out
Glass Snake Beads, Blue Black Color (Large)
Sold out
$39.50 - $39.50
$39.50
$39.50
$39.50 - $39.50
$39.50

Glass Snake Beads, Blue Black Color (Large)

Out of stock

This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back fro...

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$39.50 - $39.50
$39.50
$39.50
$39.50 - $39.50
$39.50
Sold out
Purple Padre Beads
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Purple Padre Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at these beautiful translucent purple padre beads. Made from Czech glass, padre beads such as these have been traded in African since a...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out